School Board Approves Uniform Policy For All Tulsa High Schools Amid Protest

Tulsa Public Schools trustees voted Monday to enforce a new wardrobe at all high schools.

During the busy meeting, they also saw the plans for the second round of school closures and appointed an interim athletic director.

The biggest vote was a controversial decision to require schools uniforms at all Tulsa High Schools starting next school year.

With chants like "plaid is bad" and "khaki is tacky," Tulsa high schoolers protested outside the school board meeting.

"Individuality is self expression. If we had uniforms, the big concept of Booker T. and its reputation would be taken away," said one student.

They brought those concerns inside and addressed trustees face to face.

07/21/2012 Related Story: Tulsa School Board Approves Uniforms, Schedule Changes

"Clothing is key aspect in personal development, and kids define who they are through the way they express themselves," a student told the board.

The idea for the uniforms came from the Safe Schools Task Force formed after the district consolidation. The group of teachers, students and parents came up with the recommendation to decrease discipline problems and boost student performance.

"That recommendation still makes sense to me, even though there are strong feelings on either side," said TPS Superintendent Dr. Keith Ballard.

East Central, McLain and Rogers Early College already wear uniforms, and some of those students spoke in support of it.

"I think uniforms give us a chance to judge each other on our personalities, not on what we wear," a student told the board.

The board is also going forward with the following recommendations to be voted on at a later date:

• Mayo Academy relocating to Wilson Middle School building.
• Sequoyah Elementary moving to Cleveland school building.
• Roosevelt taking on Fulton and Burbank duties.
• Burbank opens as part of Bell Elementary.
• Early College High School TCC Campus to close.

The board also appointed Gil Cloud to interim TPS athletic director. Spring replaces Dr. Stephanie Spring who resigned from the position in January.

2/6/2012 Related Story: Tulsa Public Schools Appoints Interim Athletic Director